My first ever football match! (what an eventfull night!!!)

Yes, I've lived in the UK for 28 years and this was my first time.

I finally got to watch my local Premier League team, Brighton Albion, play a football match at the Amex Studios!

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It all started when cafe regular Ms I said, "I have one ticket left over and I'm looking for someone to go with me. Are you interested?"  She also said it was because the match last September was postponed due to the death of Queen Elizabeth.

In fact, I've always wanted to see him play in person one day, as I was fortunate enough to have a connection with the support team of Mr. Mitoma and even received a signed uniform from him! However, Brighton Albion is strong this year and their popularity was exploding, and there were various restrictions on buying tickets. Moreover, the games were only at weekends and they were all sold out.

When I had half given up, I thought it was fate. It's true. The kick-off was at 7.30pm on a weekday night when I can just close the café and go to the stadium. I did not think another opportunity like this!

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As the day got closer, I found out that the match was a derby against A23's arch-rivals Crystal Palace, and everyone I spoke to said, "The first match you ever see in your life is a derby match, isn't that amazing?" and laugh bitterly. As I heard about the 'more things' in the past, I was reminded of what so-called British hooliganism is all about. It all ends with, "Well, that was an old story, though."

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On the day of the event, Chris, another regular who lives near the café, and his two sons agreed to go with us, so we met in front of the café to catch a train from the station, which was a minute's walk away. The first train was already full and we couldn't get on, so we took the next train down to Brighton station.

I was stunned.

There was already a long queue and we couldn't even get close to the platform for the train to the nearest station to the Amex Stadium. Anyway, there were police officers everywhere. And they are very heavily armed. I began to realise the seriousness of the situation.

Chris looked into my face and said, "This isn't usually like this. Normally you can change trains quickly and there aren't this many policemen."  I gradually understood the meaning of the smile one the previous day.

Brighton station was split up so that Palace fans and Albion fans didn't have to face each other. You'd think they were all happily singing Chant, but then it would escalate and end up in an abusive Chant that put down the Palace side. I did not want to see any Palace fans here. Chris was trying desperately  to stop his two sons to join the Chant while he looked after us not to get lost. I was soooo glad this English gentleman was with us. Otherwise... we did not make to the Stadium. 

And there was a moment when I felt this situation with nostalgy. What was it? What was it? This group of complete strangers, queuing up towards a single aim, crammed into a crowded train, and yet still happily engaged in conversation each other.

Ahhhh... It's Comicon. I thought that people are really same when it comes to the things they like. All were happy, anyway.

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Well, when I got to the stadium, watched over by a queue of police officers, it was already 10 minutes into the game started. After an hour and 15 minutes of queuing at Brighton station, Chris's face was so pale when he realised the train wasn't going to make it... It was unlucky. I really thought there was going to be a riot. Then we were lucky nothing happened.

It was hard to find our seats, so I just sat down in empty seats and said, "Oh, there's Mr. Mitoma over there", and when I pointed to him, he suddenly assisted in front of the goal. And just like that, Mr. March...

Goooooooaled!

The timing was so good that Mis I and I were screaming with joy for a while. It was so cool that we didn't mind going home at this point! It made our day! We believed that they were waiting for us. Thank you! 

After that, a lot of things happened during the game: there were two explosions from the Palace cheering side and a lot of smoke, the rain was getting heavier and heavier, and all the players were slipping and sliding around (including Mr. Mitoma...). There were two power cuts, and when the referee sent all the players back to the bench immediately after the second power cut. "Will be there going to be another replay? With a lead?" But the game resumed five minutes later. I was relieved.

Despite all that happened, the players continued to play the match perfectly. They were really good!

In the end, after 10 minutes of extra time, Albion won the game. Yay!

Oh, I forgot to mention that I brought a chicken cutlet (勝つ Katsu＝Win)Futomaki Sushi from my lunch box to watch the game for good luck. It might have worked? (lol)

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After the game, as I had expected to queue to get on the train again under the watchful eyes of a large crowd of police officers. The rain didn't bother us. Even Chant, sung in a loud, droning voice, sounds like a scene from a musical. However, it always ended with the F-word, after all💦.　

An eventful first football match for me was an unforgettable experience.

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Thank you, Mis I, for giving me such a rare opportunity.

Thank you Chris & his two sons for leading and taking me there like gentlemen from start to finish.

And to all the Albion players, thank you for making my first viewing with a victory.

It was fun!

April Newsletter

 

Hello. I'm Kokoto, who is tired of Easter.

Wow, that's so ugly! It's like the owner's face when she's just waken up💦

  It's spring, isn't it? In the UK, the magnolias have started to fall and the cherry blossoms have started to bloom.

We took a holiday in the first week of April and I was thinking about how we can continue this café.

While thinking about it, I planted the plants that had been given or discounted from various places over the past year into planters in the café's front garden.

 I didn't get to the daffodils in time, but I did manage to get the cherry blossoms in time. After this, the azarea will bloom. What I want now are flowers that bloom from summer to autumn. Preferably perennials.

Bamboos in July and hydrangeas in August are coming up. We will continue to look for discounted potted plants at garden centres and supermarkets and rescue them.

Please support an-an Garden... or rather an-an!

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Events in April

2-10th April Café closed for Easter holidays.

11th New structure and opening for business! (see details below)

13th Okonomiyaki Night (for sure) 5.30-8pm (last orders).

16th an-an's calligraphy club (go here for guidelines).

20th Okonomiyaki Night (phone reservations now being taken)*.

25th Language Exchange Okonomiyaki Night (applications will be sent out at a later date)

27th Okonomiyaki Night (phone reservations now being accepted)*

*If reservations for Okonomiyaki Night are not received by the day before, the event may be cancelled. Please make sure to book by phone before coming. *

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April sweets

We have a wide range of cherry blossom sweets waiting for you.

Cherry blossom mille crepe ￡3.50 a slice

Cherry blossom sweet bean paste and green tea cream are sandwiched between cherry blossom-coloured crepes. Of course, you can also eat the pickled cherry blossom on top. Made with gluten-free flour. This cake contains Egg and dairy produccts.

Cherry blossom matcha shortcake ￡3.50 a slice

Matcha and azuki bean cream shortcake with cherry blossom encrusted nishikidama on top. No gelatine used. Contains flour, eggs and dairy products.

Sakura mochi ￡2.50 per piece

Kansai-style sakura mochi, Domyoji Style. Salted leaves can be eaten or peeled off as you like.

Three-coloured Dango￡2.00 each.

The mugwort has not yet been harvested due to the weather, so please wait a little longer; we should have it from Namayasai around mid-April...

Kusatsu Daifuku, 1 piece ￡1.80.

This will also be made as soon as the mugwort arrives. Please wait a little longer.

Black bean daifuku ￡2.00 each

Until the Kusa Daifuku starts, we will be making this Daifuku. Fluffy cooked black beans are mixed into the rice cake. This contains soya beans.

Kashiwa mochi (koshi-an, grass-grain-an, misoan) ￡2.50 each

This year, Tango no Sekku (Kodomo no Hi) seems to coincide with the Colonation Ceremony. So sales will start a little earlier. Kashiwa Mochi is wrapped in oak leaves, which are believed to bring prosperity to offspring. It might be a good idea to eat it to pray for the future prosperity of the British royal family. Kashiwa mochi with miso bean paste contains soya beans.

Koshi-an Daifuku and Dorayaki (Koshi-an, Tsubu-an and Matcha-an) are always available, but in limited quantities. If you want to buy more than five, it is advisable to make a reservation in advance.

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We are now open for business under a new structure!

That said, not much will change.

*We will no longer have a morning set, but we will be able to serve onigiri (rice balls) and sandwiches in the morning. The much-requested morning set may reappear in the Weekly Special Lunch!

*Drinks and sandwiches will remain at the same price as well as futomaki rolls.

Sushi and Onigiri will also be available in the display for immediate takeaway.

*Only one Weekly Special Lunch will be available. Please note that only one Weekly Special Lunch will be available.

That's all.

We are always trying to make the café a pleasant place for everyone to spend time. We are always helped by the warm words and smiles of our customers. Thank you very much.